Week 5 Flashcards

1
Q

List the 10 features of Parkinson’s Disease?

A
  1. Tremor at rest
  2. Rigidity: cogwheel, limbs>axial
  3. Bradykinesia
  4. Asymmetry
  5. Loss righting reflex
  6. 30% cognitive decline
  7. Hypomimia (lack facial expression)
  8. Glabellar tap
  9. Quiet Speech
  10. Micrographia
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2
Q

What neurotransmitters inhibit & excite the basal ganglia?

A
  • INHIBIT: GABA

- EXCITE: Glutamate

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3
Q

What happens in the substantial nigra dopaminergic part of the corticospinal pathway?

A
  • Turns up direct pathway
  • Turns down the indirect pathway
  • Increases VA/VL drive to cortex
  • MORE MOTOR ACTIVITY
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4
Q

Describe the direct corticospinal pathway?

A
  • Increases excitatory thalamic input to cortex

- TURNS UP MOTOR ACTIVITY

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5
Q

Describe the indirect corticospinal pathway?

A
  • Decreases excitatory thalamic input to cortex

- TURNS DOWN MOTOR ACTIVITY

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6
Q

What happens in the Striatal interneuron cholingeric part of the corticospinal pathway?

A
  • Turns down direct pathway
  • Turns up indirect pathway
  • Decreases VA/VL drive to cortex
  • LESS MOTOR ACTIVITY
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7
Q

What happens to the corticospinal pathway in Parkinson’s disease?

A
  • Substantia nigra dopamine cells lost, therefore indirect pathway increases
  • Dopamine inhibition lost (disinhibition)
  • ACh excitation unopposed
  • LESS MOTOR ACTIVITY
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8
Q

What 9 factors can lead to Neurodegeneration?

A
  1. Toxins
  2. Protein handling disorders
  3. Lack of growth factors
  4. Oxidative stress
  5. Excitotoxicity
  6. Ionic disequilibrium
  7. Mitochondrial dysfunction
  8. Activation of cell death pathways
  9. Immune attack
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9
Q

What is the main strategy in drug treatment of Parkinson’s disease?

A

Counteract deficiency of dopamine in basal ganglia

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10
Q

What are the 5 different drug treatments for Parkinson’s disease?

A
  1. Levopoda (1st line)
  2. Dopamine agonists
  3. Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors
  4. Amantadine
  5. Muscarinic ACh antagonists
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11
Q

What is Levodopa used in combination with to treat Parkinson’s disease?

A

Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor (carbidopa or benserazide)

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12
Q

What do 80% of patients on Levodopa for Parkinson’s show?

A

Initial improvement in rigidity & hypokinesia

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13
Q

What does L-dopa show no evidence of?

A

That it slows or accelerates neurodegeneration

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14
Q

What are the potential side effects of Levodopa?

A
  • Involuntary writhing movements (dyskinesia) within 2 years (face & limbs mainly), at peak therapeutic effect
  • Rapid fluctuations in clinical state
  • Hypokinesia & rigidity may suddenly worsen & improve again
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15
Q

Give examples of Dopamine agonists?

A
  1. Pramipexole & Roprinole (D2/3 selective receptor agonists)
  2. Bromocriptine, Cabergoline & Pergolide (oral D1 & D2 receptors)
  3. Rotigotine
  4. Apomorphine
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16
Q

What 2 dopamine agonists are better tolerated?

A
  1. Pramipexole

2. Roprinole

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17
Q

What is the limiting side effect of Bromocriptine, Carbergoline & Pergolide dopamine agonists?

A

Fibrotic reactions

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18
Q

How is Rotigotine dopamine agonist administered?

A

Transdermal patch

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19
Q

How is Apomorphine dopamine agonist administered?

A

Injection, sometimes to control off effect of Levodopa

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20
Q

Describe the characteristics of Dopamine dysregulation syndrome?

A
  • Sudden onset sleep
  • Impulse control disorders (gambling, binge eating)
  • Hypotension
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome if stopped abruptly
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21
Q

Give 2 examples of MAO-inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease?

A
  1. Selegiline

2. Rasagiline

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22
Q

Describe Selegiline (MAO-inhibitor)?

A

Selective MAO-B which lacks unwanted peripheral effects of non- selective MAO inhibitors

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23
Q

What does inhibition of MAO-B do?

A

Protects dopamine from extraneuronal degradation

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24
Q

What does a combination of MAO-inhibitors & Levodopa provide?

A

More effective in relieving symptoms & prolonging life

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25
Q

Describe Rasagiline (MAO-inhibitor)?

A

Alternative & may retard disease progression

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26
Q

Describe the use of Amantadine in Parkinson’s disease?

A
  • Antiviral drug
  • Increased dopamine release
  • Less effective than levodopa/bromocriptine & action declines with time
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27
Q

How do acetylocholine antagonists work for treatment in Parkinson’s disease?

A

Exert inhibitory effect on dopaminergic nerves, suppression then compensates for a lack of dopamine

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28
Q

Give 3 examples of Acetylcholine antagonists used in treatment for Parkinson’s disease?

A
  1. Benzhexol
  2. Orphenadrine
  3. Procyclidine
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29
Q

What is used in severe cases of Parkinson’s disease?

A
  • Electrical stimulation of subthalamic or Gpi nuclei by inserted electrodes (DBS)
  • Can improve motor dysfunction
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30
Q

What does combining Levodopa with a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor provide?

A

Lowers the dose needed & reduces peripheral system effects

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31
Q

What’s a disorder that can occur from an unstable trinucleotide repeat in the exonic coding region?

A

Huntington’s Disease

polyglutamine in coding region

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32
Q

What’s a disorder that can occur from an unstable trinucleotide repeat in the 5 prime untranslated region?

A

Fragile X syndrome

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33
Q

What is a disorder that can occur from an unstable trinucleotide repeat in the intronic region?

A

Fredreich’s Ataxia

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34
Q

What is a disorder that can occur from an unstable trinucleotide repeat in the 3 prime untranslated region?

A

Myotonic Dystrophy

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35
Q

Describe the characteristics of Huntington’s disease?

A
  • Autosomal dominant
  • Begins in midlife
  • Chorea, dystonia, behavioural & psychiatric changes, gradual loss of cognition
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36
Q

What structures in the brain are affected in Huntington’s disease?

A
  • Striatum most severely affected

- Atrophy of caudate nucleus & putamen

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37
Q

What does CAG code for?

A

Glutamine

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38
Q

Why is the insertion of extra glutamine residues in Huntingtin’s protein harmful?

A
  • Protein misfolds
  • Aggregates
  • Inclusion bodies
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39
Q

What are the 2 ethical questions surrounding Huntington’s disease?

A
  1. Does an asymptomatic at-risk individual have a duty to undergo testing & learn result before reproducing?
  2. Is it ethical to allow asymptomatic children from families with HD to be tested?
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40
Q

Describe the characteristics of Fragile X syndrome?

A
  • Leading cause of inherited mental impairment
  • Single gene disorder on X chromosome
  • Males & females all ages & ethnic groups
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41
Q

Where is the “fragile” site located for Fragile X syndrome?

A

Chromosome Xq27.3

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42
Q

What are the signs & symptoms of Fragile X syndrome?

A
  • Long face (prominent forehead & jaw)
  • Mitral valve prolapse
  • Mental impairment
  • Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder
  • Autistic-like behaviour
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43
Q

What protein is associated with Fragile X syndrome?

A

FMR1

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44
Q

What does the expansion of DNA in Fragile X syndrome result in?

A

Transcriptional silencing

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45
Q

What is the purpose of FMR1 protein?

Fragile X syndrome

A
  • Highly expressed in neurons

- Regulates mRNA translation in dendrites

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46
Q

Describe the DNA expansion mechanism?

A

Triplet repeats in human disease can adopt hairpin conformations in vitro at physiological salt levels & temperatures

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47
Q

What is the definition of Genetic Anticipation?

A

Genetic disorder is passed onto next generation, symptoms become apparent earlier with each generation & increase in severity

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48
Q

What 3 things does genetic anticipation help with clinically?

A
  1. Diagnosis
  2. Genetic counselling
  3. Treatment
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49
Q

What are the 2 different types of Alzheimers disease?

A
  1. Early onset

2. Sporadic

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50
Q

Describe the characteristics of Early onset Alzheimer’s disease?

A
  • Autosomal dominant
  • ~5% of all Alzheimer’s
  • Down’s Syndrome high risk
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51
Q

What is Amyloid precursor protein (APP) normally cleaved by?

A

Alpha-secretase & cut into smaller fragments

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52
Q

What happens during Amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutation?

A
  • Increase beta-secretase cleavage of APP
  • Leads to excess amyloid accumulation
  • Beta-amyloid gives rise to plaques
  • Synaptic loss & neuronal death leading to Alzheimer’s
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53
Q

What do mutations in Presenilin 1 & 2 cause?

associated with Alzheimer’s disease

A

Affect the activity of the gamma-secretase enzyme complex

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54
Q

What gene mutation is involved in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Apolipoprotein E (APOE)

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55
Q

What are the 3 alleles for APOE gene?

A

e2, e3 & e4

differ by single amino acid

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56
Q

What risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease does heterozygotes for e4 (APOE allele) have?

A

3 fold risk

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57
Q

What risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease does homozygotes for e4 (APOE allele) have?

A

15 fold risk

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58
Q

What are the functions of the APOE gene (Apolipoprotein E)?

A
  • Cholesterol transport

- Clears amyloid beta

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59
Q

What can the breakdown of APOE e4 allele cause?

A

Generate toxic products

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60
Q

What 3 other gene replications are associated with Alzheimer’s disease?

A
  1. Clusterin
  2. PICLAM
  3. CR1
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61
Q

Describe neurofibrillary tangles?

A
  • Insoluble twisted fibers found inside the brain’s cells

- Consist primarily of tau protein, which stabilises microtubule

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62
Q

Describe neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Tau protein is phosphorylated & the microtubule structures collapse due to depolymerisation

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63
Q

When would you see neurofibrillary tangles but NO plaques in Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Fronto-temporal dementia with Parkinsonism

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64
Q

How can you therapeutically target neurofibrillary tangles & amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s?

A
  • Secretase inhibitors
  • Prevent phosphorylation of Tau
  • Aggregation inhibitors (Tau & amyloid beta)
  • Statins
  • Immunization
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65
Q

What 3 different prion diseases are grouped as “Transmissible Spongiform encephalopathy”?

A
  1. Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD)
  2. Fatal familial insomnia
  3. Kuru
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66
Q

Describe the characteristics of Prion diseases?

A
  • Inherited (10-15%)
  • Sporadic (85%)
  • Acquired (normally rare)
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67
Q

What are Prion diseases also known as?

A

Transmissible Spongiform encephalopathy

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68
Q

Describe a Prion?

A
  • Proteinaceous/Infectious
  • Progressive neurodegenerative
  • No genetic material
  • Exist in animals & humans
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69
Q

What is the normal & abnormal infectious Prion’s known as?

A
  • NORMAL: PrPc

- ABNORMAL, INFECTIOUS: PrPsc

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70
Q

What are the 3 normal functions of the PRPN Prion?

A
  1. GPI-anchor
  2. Glycosylated
  3. Synaptic membranes of neurons
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71
Q

What are the 3 therapies for Prion disease?

A
  1. Stabilising PrPC conformation
  2. Clearance of PrPSC
  3. Vaccination against PrPSC
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72
Q

What causes an abnormal red reflex?

A

Anything obstructing path of light from front to back of the eye:

  • Corneal Scar
  • Cataract
  • Vitreous Haemorrhage
  • Retinoblastoma
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73
Q

What was the Knudson “2 hit” hypothesis?

A

Noticed there was patients with family history of retinoblastoma (familial form) & those without (sporadic)

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74
Q

Describe the Familial form of retinoblastoma?

A

Present earlier in childhood & often had bilateral multi-focal disease

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75
Q

Describe the Sporadic form of retinoblastoma?

A

Without family history presented later & only had

a single eye involved

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76
Q

What is a tumour suppressor gene (TSG)?

A

Anti-oncogene

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77
Q

What 3 things do you focus on when examining the optic nerve during ophthalmoscope?

A
  1. Margin
  2. Colour
  3. Cup
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78
Q

What does a big cup to optic disc ratio mean?

A

Potential Glaucoma

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79
Q

What are the 4 different types of abnormal optic discs?

A
  1. Swollen
  2. New vessels (diabetes)
  3. Cupped (glaucoma)
  4. Pale (optic atrophy)
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80
Q

Describe the 3 different causes of a swollen optic disc?

A
  1. Pseudo swelling- small disc, drusen (white accumulations)
  2. Genuine swelling
  3. Raised ICP- space occupying lesion, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus
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81
Q

What is Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)?

A

Blinding neovascular retinal condition driven by hormones including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

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82
Q

What is a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope?

A

Wide field manual retinal examination for diabetes & retinopathy of prematurity

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83
Q

What is an Arclight?

A

Direct ophthalmoscope, Otoscope & Loupe

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84
Q

What are the 6 extra-ocular muscles & their innervation?

A
  • Medial (CN III) & Lateral (CN VI) recti
  • Superior & inferior recti (CN III)
  • Superior (CN IV) & inferior (CN III) obliques
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85
Q

Describe the clinical presentations of a 3rd (oculomotor) cranial nerve palsy?

A
  • Oblique diplopia
  • Eye is ‘down & out’
  • Diplopia every where
  • Pupil dilated & ptosis
  • Can be associated with aneurysm: needs urgent brain imaging & angiogram
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86
Q

Describe the clinical presentations of a 4th (trochlear) cranial nerve palsy?

A
  • Oblique diplopia
  • Head tilt
  • Worse away from side of the
    palsy if unilateral
  • Common after
    head injury
  • Bilateral: might be congenital
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87
Q

Describe the clinical presentations of a 6th (abducens) cranial nerve palsy?

A
  • Horizontal diplopia
  • Worse far distance
  • Worse towards side of the palsy if unilateral
  • Bilateral: raised intracranial pressure might be present
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88
Q

Describe Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

A
  • Most common cause of blindness >65 years in high- income countries
  • Types: wet & dry
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89
Q

What are the symptoms of age related macular degeneration (AMD)?

A
  • Progressive reduction in
    visual acuity
  • Metamorphopsia may suggest wet type
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90
Q

What are the potential treatments for wet & dry Age related macular degeneration (AMD)?

A
  • DRY: rehabilitation

- WET: anti-VEGF injections

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91
Q

When/Where is diabetic retinopathy most common?

A

Main cause of blindness in working age ‘western’ countries

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92
Q

How does diabetic retinopathy cause blindness?

A
  • Growth of new vessels, vitreous haemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment & rubeotic glaucoma
  • Leakage of fluid from damaged vessels, Macular oedema with loss of central visual acuity
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93
Q

Describe the pathological steps of diabetic eye disease?

A

Chronic hyperglycaemia –> Glycosylation of protein/BM –> Loss of pericytes –> Reduced O2 transport –> VEGF produced –> Neo-vascularisation & leakage

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94
Q

What causes retinal detachment in diabetic retinopathy?

A

Scaring leading to traction between vitreous & retina

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95
Q

What leads to robotic glaucoma?

A

New vessel growth on iris

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96
Q

What are the 3 classifications of diabetic retinopathy?

A
  1. No retinopathy (screen)
  2. Non-proliferative retinopathy: Mild, Moderate, Severe (screen mild & refer mod-severe)
  3. Proliferative retinopathy (treat)
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97
Q

List the signs of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

A
  1. Microaneurysms
  2. Dot & blot haemorrhages
  3. Hard exudates
  4. Cotton wool spots
  5. Abnormalities of venous calibre
  6. Intra-retinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA)
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98
Q

What are the 4 classifications of Maculopathy?

A
  1. No maculopathy (screen)
  2. Observable (screen)
  3. Referable (refer)
  4. Clinically significant (treat)
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99
Q

What are the 6 potential treatments for Maculopathy?

A
  1. Stop smoking, weight, exercise
  2. Glycaemic control
  3. Blood pressure control
  4. Dyslipidaemia control
  5. Support renal function- ACE inhibitors
  6. Laser, anti-VEGF injections & surgery
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100
Q

Where do 80% of people with diabetes live?

A

In low & middle income countries

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101
Q

What is the main cause of blindness in “Western” countries?

A

Age related macular degeneration (AMD)

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102
Q

What is the main cause of blindness in “low income” countries?

A

Cataract

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103
Q

What are the 5 most common types of Dementia?

A
  1. Alzheimer’s
  2. Vascular
  3. Mixed
  4. Fronto-temporal
  5. Dementia with Lewy bodies
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104
Q

What is Dementia according to NICE guidelines 42?

A

Dementia is a generic term for clinical syndrome & progressive

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105
Q

How does Dementia affect the person (5)?

A
  1. Day to day memory
  2. Mood
  3. Language/
    communication problems
  4. Visuospatial skills
  5. Orientation
  6. Concentrating, planning, organising
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106
Q

List the signs & symptoms of Early “mild” stage Alzheimer’s?

A
  • Forgetful
  • Lose interest
  • Mislaying items
  • Poor judgement, hard to make plans/decisions
  • Confusion
  • Slower cognitive capacity
  • Judging distance
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107
Q

List the signs & symptoms of Middle “moderate” stage Alzheimer’s?

A
  • Fail to recognise people
  • Time/place/events/getting lost
  • Need help with personal care
  • Difficulty in daily activities
  • Safety
  • Behavioural changes
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108
Q

List the signs & symptoms of Late stage Alzheimer’s?

A
  • Unaware of time/place
  • Confusion/comprehension
  • Not recognise familiar faces
  • Need assistance in eating
  • Increased need in self case
  • Incontinence
  • Mobility problems
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109
Q

What is the role of the Caregiver in early stage Dementia?

A
  • Emotional support
  • Prompt & remind person about events, tasks to maintain involvement & independence
  • Assistance with instrumental activities (personal finances, shopping)
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110
Q

What is the role of the Caregiver in middle stage Dementia?

A
  • Communication strategies
  • Help with personal care
  • Help with activities of daily living (food preparation, dressing appropriately)
  • Respond & manage behavioural disturbance & inappropriate behaviour
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111
Q

What is the role of the Caregiver in late stage Dementia?

A
  • Care, support & supervision 24/7
  • Assistance with eating & drinking
  • Full physical care (bathing, toileting,
    dressing, mobilizing)
  • Manage behavioural problems
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112
Q

What are the consequences of caregiving?

A
  • Depression/anxiety
  • Lower quality of life/wellbeing
  • Worse health outcomes
  • Sleep problems
  • Socially isolated
  • Role strain
  • Family conflict
  • Financial strain
  • Sense of loss/grief
  • Guilt/ resentment/ anger
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113
Q

What are 2 false beliefs of Dementia?

A
  1. Normal part of ageing

2. Nothing can be done

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114
Q

What are 4 sources of support for people with Dementia?

A
  1. Social services department of local authority/council
  2. Community psychiatric nurse
  3. Physiotherapy (mobility)
  4. Occupational therapy
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115
Q

How does Occupational therapy help with Dementia?

A
  • Reminiscing & making life story book
  • Recommending suitable exercise/
    changes around home
  • Improve home safety
  • Info accessing other support
  • Advising carers
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116
Q

Give 4 examples of Motorneurone diseases?

A
  1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (UMN & LMN)
  2. Progressive muscular atrophy (LMN)
  3. Primary lateral sclerosis (UMN)
  4. Spinal muscular atrophy
117
Q

What is the average life expectancy of motorneurone disease?

A

~3 years

118
Q

What are the 3 genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease?

A
  1. Amyloid precursor protein (chromosome 21) trisomy, mutations, duplications
  2. Presenilin-1 (chromosome 14) mutations
  3. Presenilin-2 (chromosome 2) mutations
119
Q

What are 4 genes associated with ALS?

A
  1. Superoxide Dismutase 1
  2. TAR DNA Binding
    Protein (TDP-43)
  3. Fused in Sarcoma (FUS)
  4. C9orf72 (most common)
120
Q

What drug can be used for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/ Motor neurone disease (MND)?

A

Riluzole

take for 18months, live a further 3months

121
Q

What are the 5 mechanisms of Riluzole action?

A
  1. Block TTX Na channels
  2. Reduces Glutamate release (Calcium block)
  3. Increases astrocyte glutamate uptake
  4. Enhances GABA activity
  5. Enhances BDNF action
122
Q

How common is Alzheimer’s disease?

A

70% of all dementia

123
Q

Are males or females more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Females

124
Q

What do hyperphosphorylated tau in Neurofibrillary tangles form?

A

Paired helical filaments

125
Q

What are amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s largely composed of?

A

Aβ peptides, either

diffuse/neuritic (surrounded by dystrophic neurites)

126
Q

What are the neurochemical changes in Alzheimer’s disease?

A
  • Loss of ACh, from neuronal loss from nucleus basalis of Meynert
  • GABA loss from cortex due to neuronal loss
  • Serotonin (5HT) input from dorsal raphe nuclei reduced
  • Noradrenaline input from locus ceruleus reduced
127
Q

What is the most common cognitive measurement instrument used for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease?

A

ADAS-cog

128
Q

What are the possible explanations for failed clinical trials in neurodegenerative disorders?

A
  • Drug doesn’t work
  • Population not changing, won’t see effect
  • Measurement instruments inadequate
  • Higher level disability beyond potential help
  • Differential effects at different levels
129
Q

What 3 points does the Royal Collage of Physicians report on Future Hospital Commission state?

A
  1. People’s needs are often complex
  2. Care, treatment & support services by a range of professionals must work in collaboration
  3. Most vulnerable patients (old, frail) are failed by system & seemingly unwilling to meet their needs
130
Q

What 2 points does the Royal Collage of Physicians report on Education, training & deployment of doctors?

A
  1. Need knowledge of continuing care for increasing no. of patients with multiple, complex conditions
  2. Importance of acute & general internal medicine
131
Q

What is the doctor’s role frail older people?

A
  • Consider all needs & issues
  • “Whole person” approach even in speciality medicine
  • Don’t only see the disease
132
Q

What is the doctor’s aim for frail older patients?

A

Improve wellbeing & help regain function & a similar degree of independence they had before current acute episode

133
Q

What are death rates from particular conditions affected by?

A
  1. Incidence (new cases) of a condition

2. Survival rates from that condition

134
Q

Describe the age-specific mortality rates for coronary heart disease?

A

Incidence of new cases falling & survival rates increasing= mortality rates falling

135
Q

What is the trend for health service use?

A

Health & mortality rates are improving but health services under more pressure

136
Q

Describe the prevalence of chronic disease/long term conditions?

A

Prevalence of many conditions rises with age (higher incidence due to ageing population & longer survival due to advanced care & treatment)

137
Q

With an ageing population, what is important in the healthcare system?

A

Staff factor dementia into services, care & treatment plans in old age & understand basics of dementia care & needs of dementia patients

138
Q

What does WHO say about the implications of global ageing?

A
  • Life-long promotion & prevention can prevent/delay onset of non-communicable & chronic diseases
  • Detected & treated early to minimise consequences
  • Advanced disease need long term care & support
  • Comprehensive primary care
139
Q

What point does the report on “Making our health & care systems fit for an ageing population” state?

A

Never assume that ‘it’s just their age’, or the only thing that counts is compassionate care

140
Q

How can doctors work with others to meet the needs of older individuals?

A

Assessment/setting up “packages of care” with different agencies in a timely fashion (social work, home care & voluntary services)

141
Q

What is the bedrock of the pyramid for self care & management in long-term conditions?

A

Community networks & support

142
Q

What is the aim of the pyramid for self care & management in long-term conditions?

A

Provide/support care at appropriate level

143
Q

Describe the rationale behind the new model of acute management- Hospital at Home?

A
  • Family & carers still involved
  • No disorientation from hospital environment
  • Quicker return to function
  • Links to community services & social care
  • Avoids hospital bed use unless it is absolutely needed
144
Q

What are the challenges behind the new model of acute management- Hospital at Home?

A

Needs good clinical & care processes to provide safe hospital care in the home

145
Q

How can doctors help the process of dying?

A
  • Palliative Care Approach

- Open approach to Death, Dying & Bereavement across society

146
Q

What does the Palliative care approach address?

A
  • Physical, psychological, social & spiritual needs of patient & families
  • Integral to all clinical practice, whatever illness or stage
147
Q

What is Palliative care comprised of?

A
  • Quality of life
  • Whole person approach
  • Account of person’s & carers views
  • Respects autonomy & choice
  • Open & sensitive communication
148
Q

What are the 2 common misconceptions about Palliative care?

A
  1. Not just the province of specialists

2. Not only relevant at the end of life, arise throughout an illness trajectory

149
Q

Who gets involved when there are complex problems to deal with?

A

Specialist Palliative care services & other specialist services

150
Q

What fraction of diagnosed dementia patients live in a care home?

A

1/3

151
Q

What are the 4 key points about dementia?

A
  1. A syndrome, not specific diagnosis
  2. Only definitive diagnostic test is pathology, post-mortem
  3. No reliable biomarker
  4. Nothing to alter course of disease
152
Q

What are the functions of the brains frontal lobes?

A

Sequencing & fluency

153
Q

How can we assess cognition in the frontal lobes?

A
  1. Luria hand sequencing tasks

2. Verbal fluency 1min words starting with F,A,S or list animals

154
Q

What are the functions of the brains temporal lobes?

A

Memory & Speech (left hemisphere)

155
Q

How can we assess cognition in the temporal lobes?

A
  1. Address test
  2. Object recall
  3. Serial 7 (start at 100 and -7)
156
Q

What are the functions of the brains parietal lobes?

A

Spatial awareness (right), language (left)

157
Q

How can we assess cognition in the parietal lobes?

A
  1. Draw clock face
  2. Naming objects
  3. Drawing cube, interlocking infinity signs
  4. Agnosia
158
Q

Describe the Minimental test (MMSE)?

A
  • Max score 30
  • Insensitive, lack responsiveness
  • Have to be pretty demented
159
Q

Describe the Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination (ACE)?

A
  • 15 to 20mins
  • Multi-domain
  • 13 validated translations
  • Score out of 100
160
Q

Describe the ACE-R Psychometrics test?

A
  • Good reliability

- Score of 82

161
Q

What are the features of the ACEmobile app?

A
  • Auto-scoring
  • Auto-reporting
  • Standardised administration
  • Cloud data backup
162
Q

When do pathological changes of the brain happen in relation to Dementia symptoms?

A

Commence well in advance (15-30yrs) of dementia symptoms

163
Q

What is Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?

A

Subjective memory impairment & cognitive impairment not meeting dementia diagnostic criteria

164
Q

How does early diagnosis of Dementia affect the outcome of patient?

A
  • Slower cognitive decline & decrease mortality
  • Better quality of life, dignity & rights
  • Delayed admission to institutional care
  • Improvement in challenging behaviour & opportunities for social participation
165
Q

What are the 2 broad groups of early diagnostic investigations for Alzheimer’s disease?

A
  1. Neuroimaging (CT, MRI, SPECT, FDG-PET, Amyloid)

2. Biomarkers of alzheimer’s disease

166
Q

How does Perfusion SPECT imagining detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD)?

A
  • Image variations in regional cerebral blood flow which display charactersitic abnormalities in early AD
167
Q

How does FDG-PET imagining detect Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Uptake of FDG proportional to cerebral glucose metabolism, so indicator of cerebral metabolism

168
Q

What are the 3 main CSF markers investigated for diagnosis & management of Alzheimer’s disease?

A
  1. Amyloid- β42 (Aβ42)
  2. Total tau (t-tau)
  3. Phosphorylated tau (p-tau)
169
Q

Can CSF markers reliably predict development of Alzheimer’s disease in healthy individuals?

A

NO

170
Q

Describe Neuropsychiatric symptoms?

A
  • Affects 90% patients
  • Present throughout disease course
  • May remit but highly recurrent
  • Likely most problematic aspect for carers
  • Strongly associated with nursing home placement
171
Q

What are the 6 steps to Dementia assessment & Diagnosis bundle (DAB)?

A
  1. Patient interview
  2. Cognitive examination
  3. Informant interview
  4. Investigations
  5. Specialist assessments
  6. Diagnostic confirmation
172
Q

Why is the patient cognitive assessment in dementia assessment & diagnosis bundle essential?

A

Patients may deny any issues relating to their memory & present with good social façade masking cognitive challenges

173
Q

Describe the informant interview in dementia assessment & diagnosis bundle?

A
  • Relative/close individual to describe any changes noticed in the memory abilities/functioning of patient
  • Structured informant questionnaire may be used (IQCODE, p48 SIGN86)
174
Q

What 3 investigations would you do for the dementia assessment & diagnosis bundle?

A
  1. Haematological (FBC, B12, folate)
  2. Biochemical (U&E, Glucose/ HbA1c, LFT, Ca, PO4, Cholesterol, TSH)
  3. Radiological (CT/ MRI brain within previous 12months)
175
Q

Describe the 5 different types of specialist assessments for the dementia assessment & diagnosis bundle?

A
  1. Psychometric (Clinical Psychologist)
  2. Activities of Daily Living (Occupational Therapist)
  3. Speech & Language Therapist
  4. Neurologist
  5. Medical co-morbidity or fraility syndrome (Geriatrician)
176
Q

Describe how you can confirm a diagnosis of dementia?

A

Reference to ICD/ Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic schedules

177
Q

Describe the chain of lymphatic system of the body?

A

Blood capillaries –> Interstitial fluid (+ lymphocytes/APC) –> Lymph capillaries –> Lymph nodes –> Lymph vessels –> Veins

178
Q

What happens to the flow once in the lymphatic system?

A

Its vectorial

179
Q

What does the right lymphatic duct drain into?

A

Right subclavian vein

180
Q

What does the thoracic duct drain into?

A

Left subclavian vein

181
Q

What afferents does the upper/superior deep cervical nodes receive?

A
  • Superficial lymph node groups

- Deeper structures tongue & tonsil (nasal cavity, nasopharynx, palate, oesophagus)

182
Q

What enlarges during tonsillitis?

A

Jugulodigastric node (tonsillar node)

183
Q

What afferents does the lower/inferior deep cervical nodes receive?

A
  • Back of scalp & neck
  • Superficial pectoral region/part of arm
  • Tongue
  • Superficial deep cervical glands
184
Q

What drains the lymph from anterior 2/3 tongue?

A

Juguloomohyoid node

185
Q

What does the upper & lower deep cervical nodes pass their lymph into?

A

Lower deep nodes & jugular trunk

186
Q

What afferents does the submental nodes receive?

A
  • Floor of mouth beneath tongue tip
  • Incisor & gum
  • Central lower lip
  • Chin skin
187
Q

Where does the Submental nodes pass lymph into?

A

Submandibular nodes (juguloomohyoid nodes)

188
Q

What afferents does the Buccal nodes receive?

A
  • Lower eyelid
  • Cheek buccinator
  • Facial vein
189
Q

Where does the Buccal nodes pass lymph into?

A

Submandibular nodes

190
Q

What afferents does the Submandibular nodes receive?

A
  • Nose, cheek, lower lip, frontal/max/ethmoidal sinuses
  • Upper/lower teeth (except lower incisor)
  • Ant 2/3 tongue (except tip/centre)
  • Floor of mouth
  • Vestibule gums
191
Q

Where does the Submandibular nodes pass lymph into?

A

Deep cervical nodes

192
Q

What afferents does the Parotid nodes receive?

A
  • Eyelid
  • Nose
  • External acoustic meatus
  • Tympanic cavity
  • Parts of nasal pharynx
193
Q

Where does the Parotid nodes pass lymph into?

A

Superior deep cervical nodes

194
Q

What afferents does the Mastoid nodes (post auricular) receive?

A
  • Strip of scalp above auricle

- Posterior external auditory meatus

195
Q

Where does the Mastoid nodes pass lymph into?

A

Superior deep cervical nodes

196
Q

What afferents does the Occipital nodes receive?

A

Back of the scalp

197
Q

Where does the Occipital nodes pass lymph into?

A

Deep cervical nodes

198
Q

What afferents does the Superficial cervical nodes receive?

A
  • Skin over jaw angle
  • Parotid apex
  • Lobule of ear
199
Q

Where does the superficial cervical nodes pass lymph into?

A

Deep cervical nodes

200
Q

What afferents does the retropharyngeal nodes receive?

A
  • Pharynx
  • Auditory tube
  • Soft palate
  • Hard palate
  • Nose (cavities)
201
Q

What afferents does the paratracheal nodes receive?

A
  • Neighbouring structures

- Thyroid

202
Q

What is the 1st node in drainage of the nasopharynx?

A

Node of Rouviere

203
Q

What is the Pretracheal lymph node on the cricothyroid membrane also known as?

A

Delphian (enlarged in thyroid cancer, poor prognosis)

204
Q

What is the clinical significance of tongue lymph drainage?

A

Lesions can spread to both sides because there is significant drainage to both sides

205
Q

What makes up 90% of all oral cancers?

A

Squamous cell carcinoma

floor of mouth & tongue

206
Q

Describe the prognosis of Squamous cell carcinoma

floor of mouth & tongue?

A
  • Depends on whether detectable metastasis in cervical lymph nodes
  • Contralateral lymph node metastasis has poor prognosis
207
Q

Tumours in floor of mouth & tongue base have a higher frequency of contralateral metastasis compared to what?

A

Tumours in tongue tip or oropharynx

208
Q

What is Troiser’s sign?

A

Enlarged hard (usually) left supraclavicular node (Virchow’s node)

209
Q

What can an enlarged Virchow’s node indicate?

A

Tumour in the abdomen (esp. stomach)

210
Q

Describe the structure & function of tonsils?

A
  • Lymphoid nodules
  • Increases contact with ingested organisms
  • Increases exposure, destruction & facilitates development immunity
211
Q

What is the Waldeye’s tonsillar ring?

A

Interrupted circle of protective lymph tissue (Lingual, Palatine & Pharyngeal tonsils) in upper end of alimentary respiratory tract

212
Q

How do you identify & biopsy a sentinel node (pathological)?

A
  • Identify: imaging

- Test: Histopathology

213
Q

What 3 ways can you label draining lymph nodes?

A
  1. Dye marker (isosulfan blue)
  2. Lymphosyntigraphy (colloidal sulphur radioactive)
  3. Fluorescence marker (iodocyanine green near infrared imaging)
214
Q

What is the preferred way to label draining lymph nodes?

A

Combined imaging or lymphosyntigraphy alone

215
Q

Describe the treatment/management process for tumours in the head & neck when there is no node metastasis shown on examination?

A
  • Imaging: identify sentinel node
  • 2nd order & lower tier lymph nodes not examined
  • Sentinel node removed & examined
  • Tumour state used as guide to further treatment/prognosis (false negatives rare, can spare patient more extensive node removal)
216
Q

What is increasingly recognised as a means of tumour spread in the head & neck?

A

Perineural spread

217
Q

What are important neural routes for tumour spread in head & neck?

A

Trigeminal, facial & hypoglossal nerves

218
Q

What is a crossroad for perineural & perivascular spread in head & neck tumours?

A

Pterygopalatine fossa

“communication” to orbit, oral cavity, nasal cavity, middle cranial fossa

219
Q

How does the interstitial fluid get out of the brain?

A

Lymphatics run along the dural sinus –> deep cervical nodes

220
Q

How can you tell your adequately imaging cervical spine on radiology?

A

Ensure you can see occiput to T1

221
Q

Describe the alignment of the cervical spine?

A
  • Lordotic curve for shock absorption
    1. Posterior tip of spinous processes
    2. Lamina junctional line
    3. Posterior vertebral bodies
    4. Anterior vertebral bodies
222
Q

What 2 factors results in the lordotic alignment of the cervical spine?

A
  1. Static factors- bone shape, disc shape

2. Dynamic factors- muscle, ligament

223
Q

What cervical spine bones are described as being “atypical”?

A

C1- Atlas
C2- Axis (dens)
C7

224
Q

Describe the cartilage & joints of the intervertebral disc of cervical spine?

A
  • Secondary cartilaginous joints
  • Hyaline cartilage
  • Disc is fibrous cartilage
225
Q

What 3 cervical spine joints do movements occur at?

A
  1. C0-C1
  2. C1-C2
  3. C3-C7
226
Q

What are the 3 ligaments in C0-C2?

A
  1. Cruciform
  2. Apical & ala ligamnets
  3. Membrana tectoria
227
Q

What are the 6 ligaments in the vertebral column?

A
  1. Ligamentum nuchae
  2. Posterior longitudinal ligament
  3. Interspinous Ligament
  4. Supraspinous ligament
  5. Anterior longitudinal ligament
  6. Intervertebral disc
228
Q

What are the 4 muscles & fascia of the neck?

A
  1. Paravertebral muscles
  2. Erector spinae muscles
  3. Pre-vertebra muscles
  4. Paravertebral fascia
229
Q

What is the purpose & extent of the pre-vertebral fascia?

A
  • Allows gliding
  • Extends down to T3
  • Covers, Floor of the posterior triangle, Cervical & brachial plexus, 3rd pt subclavian artery
230
Q

Where do the vertebral vessels enter?

A

Foramen transversarium (C7- vein, C6- artery)

231
Q

Describe the spinal injury epidemiology?

A
  • 80% male
  • 45% cervical, 25% thoracic
  • 50% RTA, 30% fall, 20% sports
232
Q

A person doesn’t need a cervical spine x-ray when alert & stable and…?

A
  • <65 years
  • Not serious mechanism of injury
  • No tingling/sensory symptoms
  • Was involved in rear-end shunt
  • Sitting up
  • Ambulatory since injury
  • Delayed neck pain
  • No cervical midline tenderness
  • Able to rotate head 45 degrees either way
233
Q

What are 5 dangerous mechanisms of spine injury?

A
  1. Fall >1m or 5 stairs
  2. Axial load to head (eg diving)
  3. RTA at high speed (>100km/hr), rollover or
    ejection
  4. Bicycle accidents
  5. Other motorised vehicle accidents
234
Q

What are the 4 main mechanisms of cervical spine injury?

A
  1. Flexion
  2. Extension
  3. Compression
  4. Combination
235
Q

What is the distance between the anterior margin of the odontoid peg & posterior aspect of C1 arch?

A

3mm

236
Q

Describe cervical flexion injuries?

A
  • Severe kyphosis
  • “Teardrop” fragments
  • Anterolisthesis
  • Disrupted posterior vertebral body line
  • Wide interlaminar (interspinous) space
  • Narrow disc space above involved vertebra
237
Q

Describe cerival compression injuries?

A
  • Severe compressive force that explodes vertebra
  • Disruption of posterior body line
  • Widening of interpedicular distance
238
Q

Describe cervical extension injuries?

A
  • Wide disc space below involved vertebra
  • Triangular avulsion fracture inferiorly
  • Retrolisthesis
  • Neural arch &/or pillar fracture
239
Q

What are the 5 steps of management of spinal injury?

A
  1. Airway & Breathing, get help
  2. Stabilise spine, esp. neck
  3. Hard collar
  4. Log roll to get onto spinal board
  5. Immobilisation key to preventing worsening
240
Q

What % of the population does epilepsy affect?

A

0.5%

241
Q

What is Epilepsy?

A

Continuing tendency to have seizures (sudden discharged of abnormal electrical activity)

242
Q

What 3 investigations would you do to diagnose epilepsy?

A
  1. ECG
  2. EEG
  3. MRI
243
Q

What are the different types of Epileptic seizures?

A

Generalised, Primary pr Secondary (partial, simple or complex)

244
Q

Describe a simple partial seizure?

A
  • Focal with minimal spread of abnormal discharge

- Normal consciousness & awareness

245
Q

Describe a complex partial seizure?

A
  • Local onset, then spreads
  •  Impaired consciousness
  •  Manifestations vary with site of origin & degree of spread (Presence & nature of aura, Automatisms, Other motor activity)
246
Q

Where is the most common site for a complex partial seizure?

A

Temporal lobe

247
Q

Describe a Secondarily generalised seizure?

A
  • Begin focally, with/ without symptoms
  •  Variable symmetry, intensity & duration of tonic (stiffening) & clonic (jerking) phases
  • 1-2 minutes
  •  Postictal confusion & somnolence
248
Q

Where is the most common site for generalised seizures?

A

Both hemispheres widely involved from onset

249
Q

What % of generalised seizures are present in all epileptic syndromes?

A

40%

250
Q

Describe a generalised absence seizure (Petit mal)?

A
  • Sudden onset & abrupt cessation
  • Consciousness altered
  • Associated with mild clonic jerking of eyelids/extremities
  • Postural tone changes
  • Autonomic phenomena & automatisms
  • 2.5-3.5 Hz spike & wave pattern
251
Q

Describe a generalised myoclonic seizure?

A

Myoclonic jerking seen in wide variety of seizures, but when its the major seizure type its treated differently to from partial leading to generalized

252
Q

Describe generalised atonic seizures?

A
  • Sudden loss of postural tone

- Often in children but may be seen in adults

253
Q

Describe generalised Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)?

A
  • Major convulsions with rigidity (tonic) & jerking (clonic)
  • Slows over 60-120s followed by stuporous state (post-ictal depression)
254
Q

Describe the 2 phases of Tonic-Clonic seizures?

A

1) Tonic phase- muscles suddenly tense up, causing fall to the ground if they are standing
2) Clonic phase- muscles will contract
& relax rapidly, causing convulsions

255
Q

What are the 2 non-convulsive seizures?

A
  1. Atonic seizures

2. Absence seizures

256
Q

Describe status epilepticus?

A
  • More than 30mins of continuous seizure
  • 2+ sequential seizures spanning this period without full recovery between seizures
  • Medical emergency
257
Q

Describe the current pharmacotherapy for epileptic patients?

A
  • <60% become seizure free with drug therapy
  • Another 20% seizures can be drastically reduced
  • ~20% epileptic patients, seizures are refractory to currently available AEDs
258
Q

What 7 factors help you chose which anti-epileptic drug to prescribe?

A
  1. Seizure type
  2.  Epilepsy syndrome
  3.  Pharmacokinetic profile
  4.  Interactions/medical conditions 
  5. Efficacy
  6.  Expected adverse effects
  7.  Cost
259
Q

What are the 5 targets for antiepileptic drugs?

A
  1. Increase inhibitory neurotransmitter system (GABA)
  2. Decrease excitatory neurotransmitter system (glutamate)
  3. Block voltage-gated inward positive currents( Na+ or Ca++)
  4. Increase outward positive current (K+)
  5. Many AEDs pleiotropic (multiple mechanisms)
260
Q

Describe the 2 groups of glutamate receptors?

A
  1. Ionotropic (fast)

2. Metabotropic (slow)- Regulation of second messengers (cAMP & Inositol), Modulation of synaptic activity

261
Q

What 4 things can modulate glutamate receptors?

A
  1. Glycine
  2. Polyamine sites
  3. Zinc
  4. Redox site
262
Q

Give 4 examples of antiepileptic drugs which act primarily on Na+ channels?

A
  1. Phenytoin, Carbamazepine
  2. Oxcarbazepine
  3. Zonisamide
  4. Lamotrigine
263
Q

How does Phenytoin & Carbamazepine work in epilepsy treatment?

A

Block voltage dependent sodium channels at high firing frequencies

264
Q

How does Oxcarbazepine work in epilepsy treatment?

A

Blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels at high firing frequencies & also effects K+ channels

265
Q

How does Zonisamide work in epilepsy treatment?

A

Blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels & T-type calcium channel

266
Q

What are the 6 commonly used major antiepileptic drugs?

A
  1. Lamotrigine
  2. Sodium Valproate
  3. Carbamazepine
  4. Oxcarbazepine
  5. Levetiracetam
  6. Topiramate
267
Q

Describe Lamotrigine to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Inhibiting sodium channels
  • Broad therapeutic profile
  • Side-effects: hypersensitivity reactions (especially skin rashes)
268
Q

Describe Sodium Valproate to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Chemically unrelated to other antiepileptics
  • Causes increase in GABA content of the brain
  • Weak inhibition of GABA transaminase
  • Effect Na channels
  • Side effects: hair loss, teratogenicity & foetal syndrome, liver damage
269
Q

Describe Carbamazeprine to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Derivative of tricyclic antidepressants
  • Good for partial seizures & trigeminal neuralgia
  • Strong enzyme-inducing agent
  • Side effect: sedation, ataxia, mental disturbances, water retention
270
Q

What may Carbamazeprine exacerbate?

A

Primary generalised seizures

271
Q

Describe Oxcarbazepine to treat epilepsy?

A
  • May augment K+ channels
  • Some induction of P450
  • Sedating but less toxic than Carbamazapine
272
Q

Describe Levetiracetam to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Probably inhibits presynaptic Ca
  • Analogue of piracetam
  • Useful in partial seizures & generalised seizures
  • Psychiatric side effects
273
Q

Describe Topiramate to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Risk of teratogenesis

- Low titration to avoid cognitive side effects

274
Q

Describe Tiagabine to treat epilepsy?

A
  • GABA-uptake inhibitor
  • Side-effect: dizziness & confusion
  • Licensed for partial seizures
275
Q

Describe Zonisamide to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Blocks Na channels

- Can cause anorexia & somnolence

276
Q

Describe Phenytoin (old drug) to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Saturation kinetics, therefore, plasma concentration can vary widely & monitoring needed
    – Side effect: confusion, gum hyperplasia, skinrashes,
    anaemia, teratogenesis, cerebellar syndrome, osteoporosis
277
Q

What is Phenytoin also used as?

A

Antidysrhythmic agent

278
Q

What is Phenytoin not effective for?

A

Absence seizures

279
Q

Describe Ethosuximide (old drug) to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Treat absence seizures in children
  • Blocks T-type calcium channels
  • Side effect: nausea & anorexia
280
Q

Describe Phenobarbitone (old drug) to treat epilepsy?

A
  • Enzyme inducing, very long half-life

- Osteoporosis

281
Q

What are the 2 benzodiazepines used as 1st line treatment for status epilepticus?

A

Lorazapam & Diazepam (IV)

282
Q

What is Gabapentin & its 2nd generation derivative Pregabalin used in?

A
  • Add-on therapy for partial seizures & tonic-clonic seizures
  • Main uses in Neuropathic pain
283
Q

What is the treatment for epileptic children?

A
  • Valproate 1st line
  • Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam increasingly being used
  • Ethosuxamide for Primary generalised
284
Q

What is the treatment for status epilepticus?

A
  • Diazepam, lorazapam IV (fast, short acting)

- Then phenytoin, fosphenytoin, or phenobarbital (longer acting) when control is established

285
Q

Describe when you would use neurosurgery for epilepsy?

A
  • Common for partial seizures
  • Tried atleast 3 antiepileptic drugs
  • Work-up includes detailed electrophysiology
  • Ideally non-dominant hemisphere
286
Q

When do you get the best result for neurosurgery in epilepsy?

A

When lesion correlates with EEG

287
Q

Describe the mode of action of Baclofen drug?

A
  • Agonist on GABA B-receptors
  • Action exerted mainly at level of spinal
    cord to inhibit motoneurons
288
Q

What is Baclofen drug used for?

A
  • Effective orally &for treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal injury.
  • Ineffective for cerebral spasticity caused by birth injury & epilepsy
289
Q

Describe the cartilage & joint of the vertebral facet joint?

A
  • Synovial joint
  • Hyaline cartilage
  • Enables movement